Distributed production control

ABSTRACT

Techniques for distributed production control include tagging unfinished products with electronically accessible production information that identifies aspects in which the products are to be produced differently. The production information is used to control an aspect of the production of a given product.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to distributed production control.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Modern production line systems are capable of fabricatingcustomized products having characteristics based on specificationsprovided by a party such as a customer. These systems may track theproducts during the production process to ensure that the productsreceive the proper characteristics. For example, a customer may place anorder for an automobile having certain characteristics such as a redinterior, a blue exterior, and a manual transmission. During theproduction of the custom automobile, the manufacturer must ensure thatthe automobile receives the exact characteristics specified by thecustomer. These systems may require maintaining a centralized databasefor tracking the product during the production process and confirm thatthe product receives the proper characteristics.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention provides techniques for distributedproduction control that includes tagging products with productioninformation specifying components and processes to be applied to theproduct. During the production process, the production information isread from the product and is used to control the production of theproduct including the application of the specified components andprocesses.

[0004] In general, in one aspect, the invention features techniques fortagging unfinished products with electronic accessible productioninformation that identifies aspects in which the products are to beproduced differently. The production information is used to control anaspect of the production of a given product.

[0005] Aspects of the invention can be implemented to include one ormore of the following advantageous features. The aspects in which theproducts are to be produced differently may comprise characteristics ofparts to be incorporated into the products. The aspects in which theproducts are to be produced differently may comprise characteristics ofprocess steps to be applied to the products. Tagging may compriseassociating an object containing the information with each of theunfinished products.

[0006] The techniques also may include verifying that each of theproducts have been produced according to the production information.Verifying may include comparing the production information withinformation representing results of the production of the products. Thetechniques also may control whether the production of an unfinishedproduct continues based on whether a component specified in theproduction information is available.

[0007] The production information may be carried by a radio-frequencyidentification tag, an optical memory card, a barcode, or a smart cardhaving a processor and memory. Production information may specify howsome portion of a product is to be processed, and specify manufacturingresources used to incorporate components into the products. Productioninformation may be updated to indicate whether a process has beenincorporated in the products and updated to indicate whether a componenthas been applied to the products. A main component of a product may betagged with production information specifying components to beincorporated in the product during production. A component may be taggedwith production information specifying how it is to be incorporated intothe product. Production can occur on a mass production line.

[0008] In another aspect, the invention features an article ofmanufacture that includes an unfinished product tagged with electronicaccessible production information that identifies aspects in which theproducts are to be produced differently. The production information isused to control an aspect of the production during production of a givenproduct.

[0009] In yet another aspect, the invention features a production systemhaving a production line that includes equipment to read and act onelectronic accessible production information carried by unfinishedproducts. The production information identifies aspects in which theproducts are to be produced differently. The production information isused to control an aspect of the production during production of each ofthe products.

[0010] The invention can be implemented to realize one or more of thefollowing advantages. Current production line systems may include acentral system with several subsystems for controlling the material flowand for loading robots with programs for executing a central productionplan. The central production plan may include a list of the componentsand processes that are to be applied to the product during theproduction process. However, if a particular component or process is notavailable in the material flow during the production process, theproduction plan may have to be changed to reflect the missing component.These changes may also have to be communicated to the subsystems. Toreduce any possible production delays, the manufacturer may have toinclude large material buffers and/or time buffers in the materialprocurement process. Such measures may make the production of customizedproducts costly and inflexible. The current invention may overcome manyof these problems.

[0011] Product units requiring customized characteristics or featurescan be produced by tagging a main component and/or other components withelectronically accessible production information. The productinformation can be used to control the production of the product in aself-regulating or distributed manner without having to resort to acentral database to interpret the information. As a result, it may nolonger be necessary to have a central computer determine the whole listof product units and the characteristics of each and then to send thelist to a production line computer for fabrication. Carrying productioninformation on the product may permit an increase in product varietywithout an increase in production complexity. In addition, theproduction information can be updated with information reflectingas-built information such as serial number or lot numbers of components,production conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure), identifiers ofproduction resource tools used to fabricate the product (ISO 9000requirement). Furthermore, correlation between the desiredcharacteristics and the actual characteristics can be automaticallyconfirmed by a remote system that need not access a central database.

[0012] Moreover, the techniques disclosed herein may help reducepossible production delays due to required components that are missingduring production. If a product contains a main component specifying acomponent that is not available during the production process, theproduct can be removed from the production line. The production processcan continue processing subsequent products without having to wait forthe arrival of the missing component. A missing component in a materialflow may no longer cause production delays by requiring changes in acentral production plan and communicating these changes to a productionline subsystem. In addition, the techniques may reduce the need to havelarge material buffers or time buffers in material procurement. As aresult, the cost of producing customized products may be reduced.

[0013] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIGS. 1A and 1B show a method and system for producing products.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a control system for producing products.

[0016]FIGS. 3A through 3C show a tag for carrying productioninformation.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a method for producing products.

[0018] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate likeelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019]FIG. 1A shows a method 100 for producing products. Electronicaccessible production information is created (block 102) that identifiesaspects in which a customized product is to be produced. The product istagged (block 104) with the production information. During theproduction process, readers capable of recognizing the productioninformation read (block 106) the production information. The productioninformation is used to control (block 108) an aspect of the productionof each of the products. For example, a consumer may wish to order anautomobile with an automatic transmission. An automobile manufacturermay tag some portion of the automobile with production informationspecifying an automatic transmission. During the manufacturing process,a device capable of reading the production information, such as a tagreader, reads the stored production information. In response to theproduction information, an automatic transmission is retrieved andattached to the automobile, thus improving the manufacturing processwhile satisfying the consumer's request for a customized product.

[0020]FIG. 1B shows a system 10 for producing products. The system 10includes a production control computer 21 having one or more processors21 a and memory 21 b configured to produce units of a product 11 basedon specifications for the respective units. The specifications can beused to create production information 31 written to a tag 30 using adevice capable of writing the information such as tag writer 38. The tag30 is attached to the product 1l. The production information 31specifies components 29 as well as processes 32 to be applied to theproduct 11 during the production process. The components 29 that are tobe applied or that are to become part of the unit of the product canalso be marked with tags. The components 29 that are marked may includeone or more main components or subcomponents and one or more componentsthat are to be added to the main components to become part of the unitof the product. A main component can refer to an “anchor” component thatincludes subcomponent that make up the main component. The units of amain component of the product can be marked with a tag havingelectronically accessible production information that includes a list ofthe components and processes that are to be applied to the units duringthe production process. The list may also describe the manner in whichthe processes are to be applied and the locations in which the processesare to be applied. Other components can be marked with tags thatidentify the components or list characteristics of the components. Thetagged main components and tagged other components can then be madeavailable for use on a production system.

[0021] During the production process, the computer 21 controls theproduction steps of the production line on which the product 11 is beingproduced. The production of product 11 is based on the productioninformation 31 read from the tags 30 on the units of the main componentof the product 11, for example, as it proceeds along the productionline, and from the tags on the units of the other components, if any.The production information 31 is read from the tag 30 using a devicecapable of reading the information such as tag reader 36. Components 29and/or processes 32 specified by the production information 31 can thenbe applied to product 11. As a result, the production system producesproducts, each being subjected to one or more customized processes andcontaining a custom set of components all based on product specificationinformation (i.e. customized specification information) carried on theproduct. This information may include custom processes and/or customconfigurations.

[0022] Although we have referred to information carried on tags, we usethe word tags to include any marking of the components either directlyon the components, by painting, marking, etching, or another process, orby applying another object, such as a label or a microchip or a tag tothe components. Also, although the phrase “specifications” refers tocustomer specifications, specifications can include specificationsprovided by any party, a manufacturer, a supplier, or a joint venturer,or others.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of production control system 13. Thesystem 13 receives customer specifications 12 for a product 11. Thecustomer specifications 12 can be used to create production descriptioninformation 14 specifying components and processes to be applied withrespect to one or more units of product 11 during the productionprocess. A tag writer 38 uses the production specification informationto create two types of tags 30: one or more main component tags 30 a andone or more other component tags 30 b. The main component tags 30 a areaffixed to the main component 28 of the product and contain a list ofcomponents and processes that are to be applied to the product 11 duringthe production process. The other component tags 30 b are affixed to acomponent 29 that is to be applied to or incorporated with the product11 during the production process. Examples of tags 30 are describedbelow. Components, such as 29 a and 29 b, are available from a componentsource 56 such as an inventory system. (The tagged main component andthe tagged other components are then distributed to the production line20 in preparation for the production process.

[0024] The production line 20 is connected to a computer 21 thatincludes a process control module 56 for executing process steps forprocessing a product. Each process step is associated with a processstation 50 a, 50 b, 50 c where one or more aspects of the product areprocessed. The process stations 50 a, 50 b, 50 c process a product byapplying to the product components from a component supply 34 a, 34 b,34 c and processes from a process module 32 a, 32 b, 32 c. A tag reader36 a, 36 b, 36 c reads production information from a tag 30 a on theproduct 11 and a tag writer 38 a, 38 b, 38 c writes productioninformation to the tag on the product. Although this example shows aproduction line 20 having three process stations, a production linehaving a different process station configuration can be used with thetechniques disclosed herein.

[0025] The component supply 34 holds the tagged components 29 a, 29 bthat are to be applied to the product 11. The process module 32 includesone or more machines for applying a manufacturing process (e.g., applypaint to a car interior, or installing a display panel on a notebookcomputer) to the product 11. The tag reader 36 may read productinformation from both the main component tags 30 a and the othercomponent tags 30 b. The production information can be used to retrievethe specified component from the component supply 34. The productioninformation can be used to control the production of the product byspecifying the component 29 a, 29 b and/or process 32 that is to beapplied to the product 11 and also to control the manner in which theprocess is applied (for example, the temperature at which a paint iscured). The tag writer 38 can be used to update the main component tag30 a to indicate that the required component 29 and/or process 32 hasbeen applied to the product.

[0026] The computer 21 can be connected to the production line 20 usinga network 23 such as an Ethernet network. The computer 21 can also beconnected to a management information system (MIS) 54 such as anenterprise resource program (ERP) for reporting the information relatedto the production process. The computer 21 includes hardware andsoftware modules for monitoring and controlling the production line. Thehardware can include memory for storing data and programs, a displayscreen for displaying data from the computer, an input device such as akeyboard for entering data into the computer, communications means forcommunicating over the network 23, and other hardware.

[0027] In some examples, the computer 21 can include a detection module44, an operating system 46, an application program 48, a process controlmodule 56, and a verification module 52. The detection module 44includes software instructions for detecting the occurrence of thedifferent process steps during the production process. The operatingsystem 46 can include a program responsible for the overall operation ofcomputer 21. The application module 48 can include applications such asword processors, spreadsheets, database programs, supply chainmanagement (SCM) programs, and other applications. The process controlmodule 56 can includes instructions for controlling the overalloperation of the production line including the process steps for theproduction of a product 11. The verification module 52 includesinstructions for processing data from the tag reader and writer 36, 38to determine whether the required components and processes have beenapplied to the product according the customer specifications 12. Theverification module 52 communicates verification information to the MISsystem 54 which can be used to generate reports indicating the status ofthe production process.

[0028]FIG. 3A illustrates a tag 30 for carrying production information.The tag includes production information 31 such as component information31 a, process information 31 b, resource information 31 c, and conditioninformation 31 d. Other information can be included as well. Thecomponent information 31 a specifies a component that is to theincorporated into the product, for example, a dial to be installed on awashing machine. A globally unique identifier (GUID) can be used toidentify the component by product number/name. Also, information can beincluded that specifies how some portion of the product is to behandled. For example, information about how an automobile interior is tobe handled can be carried on one of the interior components. Informationalso can be marked on individual components to show the destination of acomponent to a product. For example, a steering wheel can be marked witha tag indicating that it is to be incorporated with an automobile havinga particular customization code.

[0029] The process information 31 b specifies a process that is to beapplied to the product, for example, running an electric motor whiletesting the electrical characteristics of the motor. Resourceinformation 31 c can be updated with information during the productionprocess to indicate resources that were used to apply a particularprocess to the product. For example, the information about a resourcecan include an identification number of a robot arm for applying paintto an automobile. The Resource information may be helpful in identifyingproducts produced by defective tools. Such information may be useful forISO 9000 compliance. Similarly, Condition information 31 d can beupdated with information reflecting a condition associated with aprocess that was applied to the product (e.g. temperature of the appliedpaint, the pressure applied by a rivet tool). Other information caninclude serial or lot numbers associated with the source location of themain component 28, components 29 a, 29 b, and the product 11. The tag 30can be implemented using electronically accessible techniques such as aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, an optical memory card, abarcode, a smart card having a processor and memory, or othertechniques.

[0030]FIGS. 3B and 3C show a tag 30 for carrying production information.Referring to FIG. 3B, a component tag 30 b can be applied to a component29. The component tag 30 b can include production information such ashow the component is to be processed. For example, in an automobileproduction line, the component can be a steering wheel that includes atag having production information specifying that it is to be attachedto an automobile that is being built according to a particularcustomization code. The component tag 30 b also can include productioninformation specifying how the component is to be processed. Forexample, the component tag 30 b can include information specifying thatthe steering wheel is to be painted red.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3C, a main component 28 can include a maincomponent tag 30 a that contains a list of characteristics. Suchcharacteristics can include, for example, components and processes, thatcan be applied to the main component 28. The information included in themain component tag 30 a specifies a component 29 a having a componenttag 30 b, another component 29 b without a component tag, and a process32. For example, the main component 28 can represent an automobile andthe main component tag 30 a can be applied to a frame of the automobile.The main component tag 30 a can specify a manual transmissionrepresented by component 29 a. The component 29 a has a component tag 30b that can specify that the manual transmission is to be incorporatedinto this particular automobile. The main component tag 30 a also canspecify another component such as CD player that is to be installed intothis particular automobile, as represented by component 29 b. The maincomponent tag 30 a also specifies that a process 32 is to be applied tothe automobile such as painting the automobile red using a particularpainting machine.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 200 of a method of producing products.The flow diagram 200 is described in the context of the automobileindustry but the method may be applicable in other industries such asthe consumer products industry. To illustrate, a customer may request tohave an automobile manufactured according to specifications that includecharacteristics such as a CD player and a red interior. The system 10(see FIG. 2) receives (block 202) customer specifications 12 to be usedto manufacture units of a product 11. In this example, the automobilemanufacturer receives specifications from a customer to have anautomobile produced with a CD player and a red interior. The system 10creates (block 204) production description 14 specifying components aswell as processes to be applied to the product 11 during the productionprocess. For example, the automobile manufacturer can produce aproduction description that specifies a component (CD player) and aprocess (red interior) to be applied to the automobile.

[0033] The system 10 can then create (block 206) a main component tag 30a and component tag 30 b corresponding to a main component and thecomponents that are to be incorporated into the product 11. The systemtags components (block 207) of product 11. The components that aremarked may include one or more main components or main subcomponents andone or more components that are to be added to the main components tobecome part of the units of the product. The units of a main componentof the product can be each marked with a tag having electronicallyaccessible production information that includes a list of the componentsand processes that are to be applied to the product during theproduction process. The list may also describe the manner in which theprocesses are to be applied and the locations in which they componentsare to be installed. Other components can be marked with tags thatidentify the components or list characteristics of the components. Thetagged main components and tagged other components can then be madeavailable for use on a production line 20. Components such as 29 a, 29 bcan be retrieved from the component source 56. In this example, a maincomponent tag 30 a is attached to the automobile and a component tag 30b is attached to the CD player. The main component tag 30 a specifiesthat the automobile is to have a CD player as well as a red interior.

[0034] Once the components have been tagged, the system distributes(block 208) tagged main component 28 and tagged component 29 a to theproduction line 20. In this example, the automobile is placed on processstation (e.g. 50 a) in preparation for the production process. Theautomobile is then advanced to process station (e.g. 50 b), where a tagreader (e.g. 36 b) is used to read (block 210) production informationfrom the main component tag (e.g. 30 a). In this example, the tag reader(e.g. 36 b) reads from the main component tag (e.g. 30 a) productioninformation which specifies a CD player.

[0035] A determination (block 212) is made as to whether the componentis available to be applied to the product 11 during the productionprocess. For example, the system 10 determines whether the CD player isavailable from the component supply (e.g. 34 b). If the component is notavailable, then unfinished product 11 is removed (block 214) from theproduction line 20.

[0036] Removing product 11 from the production line may preventproduction delays which would otherwise occur if the production line 20were interrupted while the component is retrieved from inventory orordered from another manufacturer. On the other hand, if the componentis available, it is added (block 216) to the unfinished product 11. Inthis example, the component (e.g. 29 a) is a CD player which isretrieved from the component supply (e.g. 34 b) and applied to theautomobile.

[0037] The product is advanced to the next process station (e.g. 50 c)on the production line 20. At this station, the main component tag (e.g.30 a) is read and a determination (block 218) is made as to whether aprocess specified in the main component tag (e.g. 30 a) is availablefrom the process (e.g. 32 c). If the process is not available, theunfinished product 11 can be removed (block 220) from production line toprevent production delays in processing other products. Otherwise, ifthe process is available then the process is applied (block 222) to theunfinished product. In this example, the main component tag (e.g. 30 a)specifies a process for applying red paint to the interior of theautomobile. The red paint is applied using process (e.g. 32 c) which canbe a paint spraying machine. Once the paint has been applied, the maincomponent tag (e.g. 30 a) can be updated to indicate that the processhas been applied. As explained above, the main component tag can beupdated with other information such as the model number of the paintmachine. Although not specified by the customer specification in thisexample, the main component can specify another component such as othercomponent 29 b representing a manual transmission to be added to theautomobile during the production process.

[0038] The system 10 can update (block 224) the main component tag (e.g.30 a) to indicate that component and process specified by the productioninformation have been added. For example, the main component tag (e.g.30 a) can be updated to indicate that the CD player was added to theautomobile and that the interior of the automobile has been painted red.Any of the tag writers (e.g. 38 a, 38 b, 38 c) can be used to updateproduction information on the main component tag 30 a. The updateprocess can be performed at the process station where the component orprocess has been applied or at another process station.

[0039] The system reads (block 226) production information from the maincomponent tag (e.g. 30 a) to verify whether the product 1I has beenprocessed properly. The information may be read using a tag reader (e.g.36 c) at process station (e.g. 50 c) to read the production informationfrom the main component tag (e.g. 30 a). The production information canbe processed by a verification module (e.g. 52) of the computer 21. Suchprocessing can include verifying that components and processes specifiedby the production information have been applied to the product 11 andare consistent with the customer specifications (e.g. 12). Theverification module communicates the verification information to a MISsystem (e.g. 54) which can generate reports indicating the status of theproduction process. In this example, the MIS system can generate areport indicating whether the automobile specified by the customer hasbeen produced according to the customer specifications. This may includea report indicating whether the CD player was added to the automobileand whether the interior of the automobile was painted red.

[0040] The invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry,or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.The invention can be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., acomputer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in amachine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for executionby, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., aprogrammable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. A computerprogram can be written in any form of programming language, includingcompiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form,including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. Acomputer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or onmultiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

[0041] Method steps of the invention can be performed by one or moreprogrammable processors executing a computer program to performfunctions of the invention by operating on input data and generatingoutput. Method steps can also be performed by, and apparatus of theinvention can be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g.,an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specificintegrated circuit). Processors suitable for the execution of a computerprogram include, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digitalcomputer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data froma read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essentialelements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions andone or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally,a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive datafrom or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices forstoring data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.Information carriers suitable for embodying computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

[0042] To provide for interaction with a user, the invention can beimplemented on a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathoderay tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displayinginformation to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as amouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to thecomputer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interactionwith a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can beany form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditoryfeedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be receivedin any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0043] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the techniques disclosed above can be applied to industriesother than the automobile industry such as the consumer productsindustry and the high-technology industry. The system need not includethe computer 21. Each component of the production line can include aprocessor, memory, and an input device for receiving tag information.Other embodiments include a system for processing only process data,only component data, a combination of both, or a combination ofmulti-process and multi-component configurations. The flow chart shownin FIG. 3 is only an example of a system that includes one component andone process. It should be understood that other configurations arepossible. The tags can also include maintenance information, which canbe inserted during the production process. Maintenance informationincludes maintenance procedures and maintenance history, as wellinformation relating spare parts. The information can specify compatiblespare parts, provide a history of parts that have been replaced by spareparts, and provide information about the spare parts that have beeninstalled. The tags can also include security information and implementsecurity features to control access to the tags. Accordingly, otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for producing customized productscomprising: tagging unfinished products with electronically accessibleproduction information that identifies aspects in which the products areto be produced differently; and using the production information tocontrol an aspect of the production of a given product.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising defining characteristics of parts to beincorporated in the products.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising defining characteristics of process steps to be incorporatedin products.
 4. The method claim 1, wherein tagging unfinished productsincludes associating an object containing the production informationwith each of the unfinished products.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising verifying that each of the products has been producedaccording to the production information.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein verifying includes comparing the production information withinformation representing results of the production of the products. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling whether productionof an unfinished product continues based on when a component specifiedin the production information is available.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising tagging the production information on aradio-frequency identification tag.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising tagging the production information on an optical memory card.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising tagging the productioninformation on a barcode.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtagging the production information on a smart card having a processorand memory.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising specifying howa portion of a product is to be processed based on the productioninformation.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising specifyingmanufacturing resources used to incorporate components into theproducts.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising updatingproduction information to indicate whether a process specified by theproduction information has been applied to the products.
 15. The methodof claim 1, further comprising updating production information toindicate whether a component specified by the production information hasbeen applied to the products.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising tagging a main component with production informationspecifying components to be incorporated to the product duringproduction.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising tagging acomponent with production information specifying how the component is tobe incorporated in the product.
 18. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising producing customized products on a mass production line. 19.The method of claim 1, further comprising updating productioninformation with at least one of production condition, as-builtinformation, and identifiers of production resource tools.
 20. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising correlating between desiredcharacteristics and actual characteristics of a given product.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising removing a product from theproduction line if a specified component is not available.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising determining whether a componentis not available by evaluating production information in a tag.
 23. Anarticle of manufacture comprising: an unfinished product tagged withelectronically accessible production information that identifies aspectsin which the products are to be produced differently, the productioninformation being used to control an aspect of the production duringproduction of the unfinished product.
 24. The article of claim 23,wherein the aspects in which the products are to be produced differentlycomprise characteristics of parts to be incorporated in the unfinishedproduct.
 25. The article of claim 23, wherein the aspects in which theproducts are to be produced differently include characteristics ofprocess steps to be applied to the unfinished product.
 26. The articleof claim 23, wherein the production information is carried by aradio-frequency identification tag.
 27. The article of claim 23, whereinthe production information is carried by an optical memory card.
 28. Thearticle of claim 23, wherein the production information is carried by abarcode.
 29. The article of claim 23, wherein the production informationis carried by a smart card having a processor and a memory.
 30. Thearticle of claim 23, wherein the production information specifies howsome portion of a product is to be handled.
 31. The article of claim 23,wherein the production information specifies manufacturing resourcesused to incorporate components into the unfinished product.
 32. Thearticle of claim 23, further comprising updated production informationindicating whether a process specified by the production information hasbeen applied to the unfinished product.
 33. The article of claim 23,further comprising updated production information indicating whether acomponent specified by the production information has been applied tothe unfinished product.
 34. The article of claim 23, wherein a maincomponent of an unfinished product is tagged with production informationspecifying components to be incorporated onto the unfinished productduring production.
 35. The article of claim 23, wherein a component istagged with production information specifying how the component is to beincorporated onto the unfinished product.
 36. The article of claim 23,further comprising updated production information including at least oneof a production condition, as-built information, and identifiers ofproduction resource tools.
 37. The article of claim 23, furthercomprising an automatic confirmation of a correlation between desiredcharacteristics and actual characteristics of a given product.
 38. Thearticle of claim 23, further comprising instructions to remove a productfrom a production line if a specified component is not available. 39.The article of claim 38, further comrpising instructions to determine ifa component is not available by evaluating production information in atag.
 40. A production system comprising: a production line that includesequipment to read and act on electronically accessible productioninformation carried by unfinished products, the production informationidentifying aspects in which the products are to be produceddifferently, wherein the production information is used to control anaspect of the production of the unfinished products.
 41. The system ofclaim 40, wherein the aspects in which the products are to be produceddifferently comprise characteristics of parts to be incorporated intothe unfinished products.
 42. The system of claim 40, wherein the aspectsin which the products are to be produced differently comprisecharacteristics of process steps to be applied to the unfinishedproducts.
 43. The system of claim 40, further comprising a verificationmodule to verify that each of the products has been produced accordingto the production information.
 44. The system of claim 40, furthercomprising a comparison module to compare the production informationwith information representing results of the production of the products.45. The system of claim 40, further comprising a control module tocontrol whether production of an unfinished product continues based onwhether a component specified in the production information isavailable.
 46. The system of claim 40, wherein the productioninformation is carried by a radio-frequency identification tag on theunfinished product.
 47. The system of claim 40, wherein the productioninformation is carried by an optical memory card on the unfinishedproduct.
 48. The system of claim 40, wherein the production informationis carried by a barcode on the unfinished product.
 49. The system ofclaim 40, wherein the production information is carried by a smart cardhaving a processor and memory on the unfinished product.
 50. The systemof claim 40, further comprising a speecifyication of how some portion ofa product is to be processed using the production information.
 51. Thesystem of claim 40, further comprising a specification of manufacturingresources used to incorporate components into the products using theproduction information.
 52. The system of claim 40, further comprisingan update of the production information to indicate whether a processhas been applied to the products.
 53. The system of claim 40, furthercomprising an update of the production information to indicate whether acomponent has been applied to the products.
 54. The system of claim 40,further comprising a tagging module for tagging a main component of aproduct with production information specifying components to beincorporated onto the product.
 55. The system of claim 40, furthercomprsising a tagging module for tagging a component with productioninformation specifying how it is to be incorporated into the product.56. The system of claim 40, further comprising a mass production linefor producing products.
 57. The system of claim 40, further comprisingan update module for updating production information with at least oneof a production condition, as-built information, and identifiers ofproduction resource tools.
 58. The system of claim 40, furthercomprising a correlation module for determining a correlation betweendesired characteristics and actual characteristics of a given product.59. The system of claim 40, further comprising a module for removing aproduct from the production line if a specified component is notavailable.
 60. The system of claim 40, further comprising an evaluationmodule for determining whether a component is not available byevaluating production information in a tag.